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10 Mar 23. Antsy about its aging tanks, Italy is mulling a rush purchase.
Italy is considering the quick procurement of 125 tanks as well as infantry fighting vehicles to serve as gap fillers before long-term projects take shape, Italian defense officials and sources have said.
As the Ukraine conflict gives new importance to ground warfare capabilities, concerns are growing in Italy about its aging and depleted stock of Ariete tanks and Dardo fighting vehicles.
Addressing an Italian parliamentary defense committee on Thursday, Italian military-procurement chief Gen. Luciano Portolano said gap fillers were being mulled for new tanks and fighting vehicles.
“The defense ministry is evaluating all options, with a main focus on rapidly filling gaps,” he said.
An Italian defense source told Defense News that planners envisage a current need for 250 main battle tanks, of which 125 could be upgraded Ariete tanks, leaving a need for 125 gap fillers.
Giorgio Mulè, a former junior defense minister and a member of parliament with the Italian government coalition party Forza Italia, said leasing, rather than purchasing, gap filler tanks was the practical solution.
“Italy will need a gap filler which is already in use in NATO and Europe, which is reliable and comes with logistics provided, which likely means leasing from another state,” he told Defense News.
Such a move could entail a lease of Leopard tanks from allied nations.
“We need urgent modernization – the last time we introduced new tanks and fighting vehicles was in the 1980s with the Ariete and Dardo vehicles,” said Mulè.
At the same time, as gap fillers are chosen, Partolano told parliament the defense ministry was working on requirements for “next generation” tanks and fighting vehicles that could be developed with Italian industrial input.
In the case of the tank requirement, he cited the embryonic European Main Ground Combat System (MGCS), which was launched in 2012 by France and Germany and set to be developed by Germany’s Rheinmetall and KNDS, a joint venture between Germany’s KMW and France’s Nexter.
Meanwhile, Rheinmetall has said that if Italy buys its new Lynx fighting vehicle to replace aging Dardos, it could build the vehicle in Italy. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
08 Mar 23. Rheinmetall receives order to co-produce three-cylinder engines.
Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) is to partner with a company from Uzbekistan to co-manufacture three-cylinder engine blocks, the German arms maker said on Thursday.
The production of the first 100,000 units of the three-cylinder engines, to be delivered to an original equipment manufacturer from the United States, would take place in Germany, then be shipped in Uzbekistan, the company said.
“Once the phase of providing initial support is complete, serial production of the engine blocks will start in Uzbekistan” it added.
The order is worth a figure in the lower two-digit million euros, Rheinmetall said. (Source: Reuters)
08 Mar 23. British Army has just 157 Challenger 2 tanks available for operations. The paper fleet of 227 vehicles has been reduced due to cannibalisation of platforms for spares, raising further concerns over the size of the UK’s land forces.
The British Army has just 157 Challenger 2 main battle tanks (MBTs) either on or available to undertake operations within a 30-day work-up period, out of a theoretical fleet of 227 vehicles.
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The figure was disclosed during a UK Defence Committee session on 8 March that was exploring key defence programmes being undertaken and the country’s response to the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, including the continued provision of essential war materiel to Kyiv.
Earlier this year, the UK publicly announced that it would donate a squadron of 14 Challenger 2 MBTs to Ukraine to aid the country it its war effort, a move that prompted US and European allies to follow suit and pledge the M1A2 Abrams and Leopard 2 types respectively. Ukraine will receive 14 operational Challenger 2s taken directly from the operational fleet, with 14 then brought up from long-term storage to backfill the UK operational fleet.
Ukrainian forces have begun operational training on the Challenger 2, with the platform potentially ready to deploy to Ukraine by the end of the month.
In the UK’s 2021 Integrated Review (IR) and Defence Command Paper (DCP), it was revealed that 148 of the country’s Challenger 2 MBTs would be upgraded to a Challenger 3 variant, featuring active protection systems, improved sensors and optics, as well as a new turret and the Rheinmetall L55A1 120mm smoothbore gun.
However, in light of the ongoing Ukraine-Russia war, which has seen the massed used of armour as well as countermeasures such as loitering munitions and improved dismounted anti-tank weapons, the UK is undertaking a ‘refresh’ of the IR and DCP. Speaking in Parliament, the UK Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace said that part of the assessment will be to determine whether more than 148 Challenger 2 tanks would be upgraded to the Challenger 3.
What chance a change at the IR refresh?
Given the current numbers of Challenger 2 tanks available for operations, and the materiel state of the remaining 70 vehicles in storage, it is not clear how many more could be upgraded. Taking current numbers and discounting vehicles in storage, a theoretical increase could be for as few as nine extra Challenger 3 tanks, should the refreshed IR and DCP deem the planned 148 upgraded tanks to be insufficient.
Challenger 2 tanks still in storage will be in a range of conditions, from those that need considerable working up before being made ready for operations, to platforms that have been cannibalised for spare parts and in effect unserviceable. Many of the parts and production lines for the Challenger 2 have closed since it first entered service with the British Army in 1998, leaving stored platforms as the only resource for spare parts.
Only the Sultanate of Oman became as export customer for the Challenger 2, concluding delivery of 38 MBTs in 2001. The lack of depth of the UK’s heavy armour element has raised concerns over its ability to sustain operations beyond the opening days in an environment as contested as seen in Ukraine. In context, from 24 February to 21 December 2022, Russia and Ukraine lost a combined total of 2,021 tanks of all types, split 1,585 and 436 respectively, or more than 12 times the number of Challenger 2 MBTs available for operations. (Source: army-technology.com)
08 Mar 23. USMC begin four-phase experiment with light amphibious surrogate. The U.S. Marine Corps has unveiled a four-phase test plan for its stern-landing vessel, the leased prototype that will help inform requirements for the Landing Ship Medium program and other future tools for Marines in the Pacific.
The service will accept delivery of the first leased stern-landing vessel and kick off the first phase of experimentation this month, Lt. Col. Tim Smith, the logistics combat element branch head at the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab’s science and technology division, told reporters last week.
This stern-landing vessel, or SLV, is an offshore support vessel from Hornbeck Offshore Services, which signed a contract to lease the ship to the Marine Corps and allow for significant modifications. To recreate the type of capability the force thinks it needs in its Landing Ship Medium, the Corps is adding to Hornbeck’s vessel a large ramp, a reinforced deck, landing legs, protection for the propellers and rudders, and more.
The Landing Ship Medium was formerly known as the Light Amphibious Warship, which included the ability to beach itself so Marine Corps vehicles and supplies can roll directly onto shore.
During this first phase of testing, “we’re going to find out how does the SLV actually work in some benign conditions” and gradually move into tougher surf conditions, Smith said.
“Do we have to use the jacking legs? What’s the impact to the beaches that we’re working? What is the impact of the ramp? Does it really do everything it says it’s going to do?” Smith added, noting the Marines would use the first 12 weeks to focus on the SLV’s fundamental performance.
The Corps will take nearly every vehicle in its inventory and move them on and off the beached SLV via the ramp, he said. And the team at the warfighting lab will write and repeatedly update manuals that govern how to use the vessel, he added.
The purpose of this first 12-week, limited technical analysis is to ensure that, when the vessel is turned over to operational forces, they can safely experiment with it.
This first phase will also inform the process for leasing additional SLVs. The Marine Corps has money to lease two more, Smith said, but has not begun seeking out potential vessels, which the service would likely receive for testing in 2024.
Based on the initial phase of testing with this first vessel, the service may find it doesn’t need the jacking legs and therefore wouldn’t pay to add them to subsequent prototypes, for example.
After the first 12 weeks of testing, the SLV will move to the second phase.
Once deemed safe, the vessel will be transferred to the warfighting lab’s experiments division, which will begin limited operations with the fleet, including the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment.
The vessel will head to California and deeper into the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command theater for exercises and operations. Smith said the SLV would be heavily involved in future Marine littoral regiment experimentation, mobility and logistics assessments, as well as efforts to refine tactics and concepts of employment.
Smith said the SLV’s third phase would look at further uses for the vessel in the larger context of Navy-Marine Corps operations, and the fourth phase would look at joint force applications. “Does it play well with Army vehicles? Does it play well with potential Air Force use?” Smith said.
During these latter phases, additional capability gaps and ideas for future programs of record may emerge, leaders say.
Jeff Tomczac, the deputy director of the science and technology division at the warfighting lab, said the Marines are clear on their requirement for the Landing Ship Medium, which is needed to move people and equipment in the Pacific region. But this experimentation will also “define other gaps and shortfalls that we have not identified at this time that will eventually turn into future warfighting requirements, that will eventually turn into future programs of record,” he added.
Smith said this first SLV would carry regular gas and aviation gas, allowing it to potentially refuel surface craft like the Combat Rubber Raiding Craft and the Amphibious Combat Vehicle, or future underwater and aerial drones.
Smith also noted that the second or third leased SLV could receive modifications to feature a flight deck that enables vertical replenishments and ship-to-shore logistics supported by a rotary-wing drone. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
08 Mar 23. More Osprea Mambas for Africa. Osprea Logistics is successfully delivering another 50 Mamba armoured vehicles to an African based customer, who will use them for peacekeeping missions.
United States-based Osprea Logistics has supplied Mamba mine-resistant, ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles to customers across Africa over the years, and is now concluding the supply of more than 50 Mamba Mk 7 MRAPs, comprising Mk 7s, Mk 7-Xs, and 6×6 Armoured Wreckers.
Based on the South African designed Mamba, the Mamba Mk 7 has since 2016 been solely manufactured in the United States by Osprea Logistics and features multiple improvements over previous Mamba generations. The company said it has supplied hundreds of Mambas around the world and these have survived multiple improvised explosive device (IED) strikes of 50 kg, 80 kg and greater. No fatalities have been recorded after multiple IED hits in Somalia, Mali and Niger.
The Mamba has fast become the peacekeeping operations, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency vehicle of choice for the US Government and other organisations and governments because of its simplicity, functionality and price point, Osprea said, offering a NATO level armoured personnel carrier at a fraction of the price.
Kenya and Uganda have both operated Mambas in Somalia under the AMISOM peacekeeping mission along with all other Troop Contributing Countries to AMISOM: in 2020, 22 Mk 7s were supplied to Kenya while Uganda received 23 in 2020, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In August 2020 Osprea delivered 47 Mamba Mk 7s to Niger to equip the G5 Sahel Joint Force for its fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime, and trafficking in the Sahel. These were donated by the United States, which also supplied 13 Osprea Mambas in December 2019, also for the G5 Sahel Joint Force.
Togo is a large African customer, having ordered over 100 Mamba Mk 7s, according to SIPRI data. These were first displayed during an April 2021 parade.
The nearly 15 ton Mamba Mk 7 is certified to STANAG Level 4A and 4B blast protection, with all-round ballistic protection greater than B7 (7.62×54 mm API and .50 calibre), although they have survived mine blasts in excess of twice Stanag 4A4B level. Additional armour can be fitted along with optional PRG protection. A six cylinder turbocharged diesel engine gives a top speed of 105 km/h and a range of 800 km.
The upscaled Mk7-X with a 410 hp engine and independent suspension has been supplied to at least two major countries’ Special Forces.
Osprea highlights the Mamba Mk 7’s enhanced situational awareness through five large rear windows and a sloping bonnet along with four roof hatches, and excellent manoeuvrability through its industry-leading turning circle. An optional manual or electrically driven turret can support a weapon up to 12.7 mm calibre. Any of the windows can be fitted with gun ports to allow engagement from within the vehicle.
The Mamba Mk 7 is available in different variants, including troop carrier, command and control vehicle, ambulance, emergency recovery vehicle, and IED interrogator arm vehicle (additional options add ground penetrating radar).
In addition to supplying complete vehicles, Osprea Logistics allows local manufacture through either complete or semi-knock down kits. Its fully industrialised assembly process enables the vehicle to be manufactured in the client’s country. This is backed by full training support and the supply of spares and maintenance. (Source: https://www.defenceweb.co.za/)
07 Mar 23. Romania aims to buy Abrams tanks, senior army official says. Romania aims to buy Abrams tanks made by General Dynamics (GD.N), a defence minister official in charge of military public procurement was quoted as saying on Tuesday. The European Union and NATO state has raised defence spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product this year from 2%, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The country, which shares a 650-km (400 mile) border with Ukraine, is host to a U.S. ballistic missile defense system and, as of last year, has a permanent alliance battlegroup stationed on its territory.
“We are in the process of sending our (ministry) request for preliminary approval to acquire a batallion of Abrams tanks,” lieutenant general Teodor Incicas was quoted saying by defence ministry publication Observatorul Militar. Incicas heads the army’s general weapons division.
Incicas said the acquisition, once approved, will be done through a government to government deal. The timeline for the purchase was unclear.
Countries close to Russia like Poland, Finland and Germany are striking deals to build U.S. weapons in Europe, negotiating new deals and looking to speed up existing contracts.
In December, Romania’s defence ministry signed a deal to acquire seven Watchkeeper X unmanned aircraft systems from Israeli defence electronics firm Elbit Systems (ESLT.TA) for roughly 1.89bn lei ($410.19m).
Romania aims to overhaul its state defence industry by investing in new technologies to boost output and exports in the region, its economy minister said in December. ($1 = 4.6076 lei) (Source: Reuters)
06 Mar 23. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) has awarded BAE Systems a $256.8m contract for additional Amphibious Combat Vehicles (ACVs) under a third order for full-rate production (FRP). This award covers production, fielding, and support costs for the ACV Personnel (ACV-P) variant and the Command variant (ACV-C). The contract exercises existing contract options, which include $145.3 m for more than 25 ACV-P vehicles, and $111.5 m for more than 15 ACV-C vehicles.
ACV production and support is taking place at BAE Systems locations in: Stafford, Virginia; San Jose, California; Sterling Heights, Michigan; Aiken, South Carolina; and, York, Pennsylvania.The ACV is an 8×8 platform that provides true open-ocean amphibious capability, land mobility, survivability, payload, and growth potential to accommodate the evolving operational needs of the USMC. The Marine Corps approved full rate production on the ACV-P vehicle in 2021, and the vehicle is currently being fielded to Marine Corps Fleet Marine Force units. The ACV-C variant, which will provide multiple workstations for Marines to maintain and manage situational awareness in the battle space, is also in full-rate production and will begin fielding later this year.
“The ACV is an extremely versatile platform that continues our commitment to equip the Marines with the vehicle to meet their expeditionary needs,” said Garrett Lacaillade, vice president of amphibious programs at BAE Systems. “Today, with our strategic partner Iveco Defence Vehicles, we are delivering this critical capability to the Marines. Together, we are working to introduce new and future capabilities into the ACV family of vehicles.”
BAE Systems is also under contract for two other ACV mission role variants: ACV-R; and ACV-30. The ACV Recovery (ACV-R) variant will replace the legacy Assault Amphibious Vehicle recovery variant (AAVR7A1), and will provide direct field support, maintenance, and recovery to the ACV family of vehicles. The ACV-30 mounts a stabilized, medium caliber Remote Turret System manufactured by KONGSBERG that provides the lethality and protection the Marines need while leaving ample room for troop capacity and payload.
The company has also received task instructions from the USMC to complete a study of incorporating Advanced Reconnaissance Vehicle Command, Control, Communication and Computers/Unmanned Aerial Systems mission payload onto an ACV variant. The ACV C4/UAS variant was delivered to the Marine Corps in January of 2023 for testing. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Mar 23. Oshkosh Defense Files Bid Protest on Recent JLTV Award Decision. Oshkosh Defense, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), has filed a formal bid protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) over the U.S. Army’s recent award decision with respect to the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) Follow-On Contract.
The independent GAO review of the procurement decision was initiated by Oshkosh on March 6, 2023.
“After participating in the government’s post-award debriefing process, we have significant concerns regarding the evaluation of the proposals under the solicitation that support an independent review,” said Tim Bleck, executive vice president Oshkosh Corporation and president Oshkosh Defense.
“We believe the Government’s evaluation did not properly review the financial, technical, and manufacturing capabilities offered to select the best value and lowest risk solution to deliver the JLTV.”
As the incumbent manufacturer and original designer of the JLTV platform, only Oshkosh’s proposal leveraged substantial JLTV experience and proven JLTV production infrastructure, while providing best-in-class upgrades to the JLTV platform. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
BATTLESPACE Comment: Given the size of the contract, this announcement does not come as a surprise. The Protest will be decided in June and may well go down to the wire given the IP held by Oshkosh for the JLTV.
06 Mar 23. Oshkosh Defense formally protests Army’s $8.7bn JLTV contract.
The Government Accountability Office will weigh in on the Army’s multi-bbn decision by mid-June.
Oshkosh Defense is protesting the US Army’s decision to move Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) production over to AM General under a new multi-bbn deal, saying the company has “significant concerns” about how the competing bids were evaluated.
Edward Goldstein, the managing associate general counsel with the Government Accountability Office, confirmed to Breaking Defense that a law firm representing Oshkosh Defense filed a contract protest today and that his office will make a decision by June 14.
Tim Bleck, executive vice president Oshkosh Corporation and president Oshkosh Defense, said in a statement, “After participating in the government’s post-award debriefing process, we have significant concerns regarding the evaluation of the proposals under the solicitation that support an independent review. We believe the government’s evaluation did not properly review the financial, technical, and manufacturing capabilities offered to select the best value and lowest risk solution to deliver the JLTV.”
Some close observers of the program have been expecting a protest since February when the service awarded AM General with a deal worth up to $8.66bn over the next decade for up to 20,682 JLTVs and 9,883 trailers. Oshkosh Defense had been the incumbent vehicle producer since 2015. Inside Defense earlier reported today’s protest.
The Army did not immediately respond to questions about today’s news but over the past several weeks it has steered away from questions about its decision, while also noting that it anticipates saving money by moving the work over to AM General.
“Unit prices are considered competition sensitive until the post award debriefings are complete and the protest window is closed; absent any protest,” Michael Sprang, the project manager with the Joint Program Office Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, wrote in Feb. 14 email in response to Breaking Defense’s questions.
However, he said, “the Army succeeded in obtaining a lower cost than the independent government cost estimate through the recompete” and noted that the competition was never intended to include dollars for a company to pay for the “setting up or improving” its JLTV production line. That burden was on them.
It is not clear if the Army has told AM General to stop work on the new JLTV A2 production line, but Sprang said last week such a decision would result in a “day-to-day delay initiating production.”
Regardless of what the GAO decides about the fate of the JLTV A2 contract, Oshkosh Defense is expected to continue producing the earlier model though 2025 while AM General stands up its new facility and ramps up production.
Meanwhile, last week Breaking Defense spoke to AM General CEO Jim Cannon about its winning bid, and he said the company was already moving out on the contract.
“We leaned forward in the saddle through this whole process to get all the planning, permitting… stuff out of the way before an announcement was ever made,” Cannon said. “So, when the announcement came, literally the next day, we’re breaking ground” to expand an existing production facility at its Mishawaka Manufacturing Campus in Indiana.
“We’re not under a stop work order,” he said at the time of the possibility of a protest-related pause. “[That] doesn’t mean we won’t be tomorrow, but we’re not under a stop work order.” (Source: Breaking Defense.com)
06 Mar 23. Parliamentary defence committee concerned about SANDF spares. Funding, more specifically a lack of it, has again been cited as hobbling the SA National Defence Force (SANDF) particularly as far as its prime mission equipment (PME) is concerned.
Following an Armscor presentation last week, Cyril Xaba and Mamagase Nchabeleng, co-chairs of the Joint Standing Committee on Defence (JSCD), said in a statement the committee is “concerned about the reactive system for procurement of spares” for PME.
The committee wants “pragmatic solutions” brought to bear to ensure defence “platforms are adequate for deployment” a Parliamentary Communication Service statement has it.
“While the committee acknowledges the funding shortfall within the SANDF that impacts directly on maintenance of equipment, the committee welcomes the intention by all role-players within the environment to hold a workshop that will streamline solutions to deal with the challenges of spares availability and general maintenance of PME. The committee will in April meet to receive these solutions, which the committee hopes will give a clear way forward,” Xaba said.
Going back to the Armscor presentation, the statement has it Armscor’s Defence Decision Support Institute is not performing analyses of maintenance requirements for selected SANDF PME.
“The committee is of the view that using specialists within this division would ensure that a proactive approach to systems management is adopted, which is a desirable approach in ensuring capability availability. It would also ensure that Armscor plays a critical and strategic decision support role for end users and ensure proactive planning and implementation. The committee is in agreement with Armscor that procurement of spares should be proactive and that effective planning should be encouraged.”
Using Denel as an example, the JSCD points to long lead times for procurement, citing financial challenges adding it “believes it is practical to do proactive spares procurement to eliminate funding challenges”.
“Continued challenges faced by Denel have a debilitating impact on the SANDF and ensuring its platforms operate optimally. Urgency is needed in resolving these challenges to enable Denel and by extension the national defence force to effectively deliver on its mandate,” Xaba said.
Challenges aside, the JSCD is hopeful solutions from the defence environment roleplayers engagement will bear fruit.
In its presentation to the committee last week, Armscor said some of its spares procurement challenges arise from the fact that some spares have long lead times and that if requirements are received late in the year, and operating budget funds are only available in the specific financial year, those spares that won’t be delivered within the financial year cannot be procured.
Further adding to delays is some spares have to be specifically manufactured or alternatives identified and qualified, which is time consuming. This is not helped by the fact that the majority of SANDF prime mission equipment is old and is suffering from increasing obsolescence.
Denel is the original manufacturer of a significant portion of SANDF prime mission equipment and sourcing of spares through Denel and re-engineering of obsolete spares is time consuming, Armscor stated.
The defence materiel agency suggested ways of improving spares availability, including proactive rather than reactive procurement; requirements for spares being provided early in the financial year; funding allocated to coincide with long lead time spares; and alternative suppliers to Denel being established.
27 Feb 23. EA (Excalibur Army) and RESOURCE INDUSTRIES signed a contract for hundreds of vehicles on Tatra chassis at IDEX 2023 in Abu Dhabi. During the IDEX 2023 exhibition our company and the RESOURCE INDUSTRIES company from the United Arab Emirates announced the conclusion of a contract amounting up to 77 m Euros for the production and supply of vehicles on Tatra chassis. The newly concluded contract will allow the RESOURCE INDUSTRIES company to manufacture and supply to the market in the United Arab Emirates two hundred vehicles with TATRA TRUCKS a.s. chassis for military and civilian purposes. In addition, and within this contract, EA will also supply recovery and evacuation vehicles TREVA-30. This contract was also preceded by an ongoing contract for the supply of PATRIOT II 4×4 wheeled armoured vehicles, which can be seen at the exhibition. Following the announced significant contract, our company and RESOURCE INDUSTRIES expect further close cooperation in the near future. In this sense, both companies signed a Letter of Authorisation, based on which RESOURCE INDUSTRIES holds exclusive rights for the production, distribution, and presentation of vehicles on Tatra Force chassis for the United Arab Emirates, including the provision of service and the distribution of spare parts. RESOURCE INDUSTRIES will assemble vehicles on Tatra chassis in its own production facility in the United Arab Emirates, EA will provide CKD kits and certain structural sub-assemblies for this operation. (Source: www.joint-forces.com)
03 Mar 23. Australia to deliver two PAC-750XL aircraft for PNGDF.
With the additional abilities, Papua New Guinea will be able to quickly deploy its forces for different national incidents. Australia has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) and implementing arrangement for the delivery of two PAC-750XL utility transport aircraft to Papua New Guinea.
The signing took place during the ongoing Australian International Airshow and was confirmed by the Australian Government on 2 March.
The MoU and agreement were signed between General Angus Campbell and Major‑General Mark Goina, Chief of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF), respectively.
According to the terms of the arrangement, Australia will strengthen the bilateral aviation partnership between the countries with the delivery of the first aircraft to the PNGDF by April and the second by September.
Once delivered, the PAC-750XL aircraft will boost the aviation capabilities of the PNGDF, allowing them to perform crucial operations for the sovereign government and people.
With additional abilities, the country will be able to quickly deploy its forces in support of different national emergencies and incidents, as the new planes can easily be configured for specific missions.
Campbell said: “This is another significant chapter in our aviation cooperation, following Australia’s support to the PNGDF to help re-establish the airworthiness of its first PAC-750XL aircraft in 2021.”
Delivery of the PAC-750XL aircraft will allow the two countries’ forces to bolster their longstanding defence cooperation.
The new arrangement builds on initial discussions undertaken by the ADF and PNGDF to expand the ‘Flights of Excellence’ programme in 2017.
Under the programme, the countries will collaborate on aviation safety, maintenance and sustainment for the entire service life of the aircraft.
Goina said: “It is a momentous lift in the PNGDF Air Wing’s ability to serve our government and our people and will enhance PNGDF’s ability to serve our people in the remotest corners of our nation.”
(Source: airforce-technology.com)
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